You don't get ahead by working hard, and you don't get ahead by working smart to benefit the company, you get ahead by working smart to benefit yourself.

There is a bit too much "my situation fits all" here. Startup vs big corp, private vs government, thoughtful management vs not, etc. Other people will also recognize this mentality. Can't say "eat the rich" because they only do what's good for them, then do the same (yes, that's extreme).

You should benefit the company, and they should benefit you. I take your point to mean this equation should be balanced (which unfortunately it usually isn't), vs the specific words above.

[–] Signtist@lemm.ee 4 points 8 months ago

That's a fair point. You're correct that my point is that the equation should be balanced, but you're understating the reality with the statement "unfortunately it usually isn't."

I put in 4 hours of work last week, though my employer thinks I put in 40. In those 4 hours of work I started and finished a project for the company that will earn over $100k in gross profit. It ended up being almost exactly 1.5x my yearly salary. Just by putting in the absolute minimum effort I'm already earning my company more in a week than they pay me in a year. And I don't even work for a large company. I'd imagine corporate giants have an even greater divide.

I'm not responsible for worrying about whether I benefit the company; most companies have gotten so good at maximizing profits while minimizing costs that even the most layabout worker earns them significantly more money than they cost to employ. My only thought is about how I can do as little as possible while still ensuring management continues to think I'm being productive.